MoMA PS1 (PS1) is an institution that thrives on artistic innovation and community engagement. Located in Long Island City, New York, it occupies a historic nineteenth-century public school building—a rare example of the alternative space movement that emerged in New York during the 1970s. Founded by curator Alanna Heiss, PS1 has become a beacon for boundary-breaking ideas and experimental practices. For nearly five decades, it has provided audiences with a unique opportunity to encounter new art forms and perspectives, all while gaining insight into the worldviews of the artists themselves. Driven by a commitment to realizing artists’ visions, PS1’s programs explore the transformative power of creative expression, fostering connections between artists, visitors, and the broader community.

The museum for the most part uses mounted air conditioning units instead of a central air system, and many parts of the building, including the exterior walls and roof, were built in the late nineteenth century and make it extremely difficult to control the temperature, which has a negative effect on the environment and are expensive to maintain and repair. FCI Scoping funding will support an assessment to be delivered in June 2025 that will provide a detailed risk assessment matrix of various elements of the building’s historic infrastructure, including the building envelope, that create inefficiencies with the museum’s heating and cooling systems and present challenges to daily operations.The report will note priorities for repair, associated costs, and recommendations to upgrade the building envelope within a ten-year time frame.